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Denver resolves $10 million lawsuit against police for $190,000

A $10 million lawsuit filed three years ago by the widow of a man shot and killed by Denver police in 2007 was resolved with a $190,000 settlement approved Monday by Denver City Council.

The settlement more than doubles the $129,701 the city has paid out to resolve excessive force cases this year.

The lawsuit was brought by Vicki Lynn Trujillo against Denver police officer Timothy Campbell, former Denver police chief Gerry Whitman and the city and county of Denver.

In the suit, Trujillo said her husband Jason Gomez's death was unjustified.

Gomez was shot six times Dec. 18, 2007, near West Ada Place and South Hazel Court in southwest Denver after an attempted traffic stop and foot chase.

Campbell said that during the foot chase Gomez shouted threats and acted as though he had a gun. Gomez actually was in possession of a cigarette lighter.

The complaint alleges the officer shouted he was going to kill a kneeling Gomez then shot him once in the back as he started to flee — and five more times at close range. Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey called the shooting "justified" and declined to charge Campbell.

"The settlement negotiated in this matter is a sound business decision that avoids further costs of litigation and the possibility of an adverse decision at trial," said City Attorney Doug Friednash in a statement.

Attorney Kenneth Padilla who represented Trujillo said the settlement was "extremely fair for Denver."

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